Yarn passing device of sewing machine for embroidery

ABSTRACT

The present invention, the objective of which is to provide a threading device for embroidery machinery realized in such a way that it performs threading accurately regardless of the type of thread, for embroidery machinery, etc. capable of performing the processing for change of colored thread automatically without intervention of an operator, for example, comprises a needle support mechanism ( 7 ), disposed movably facing the hooking member ( 61   a ), for preventing deflection of the needle ( 10 ), by correcting deflection of the needle ( 10 ), when inserting the hooking member ( 61   a ) formed in the shape of a hook at the tip of the thread pull-out mechanism ( 61 ) in the needle hole ( 10   a ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a threading device forembroidery machinery, more specifically to a threading device forembroidery machinery realized in such a way that it performs theprocessing for change of colored thread (hereinafter also called simply“thread” or “needle thread”, depending on the case), etc. automaticallywithout intervention of an operator.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the past, the processing for change of colored thread etc.used to be performed with manual work of an operator.

[0003] By the way, in a processing for change of colored thread, etc.,the sewing machine must be stopped, and, especially in the case of achange of colored thread, it is necessary to change the colored threadon each of the sewing machine heads provided in the number of severalpieces to as many as 30 pieces in some cases on a single embroiderymachine. This stopping time could last for several hours, presenting aproblem of drop of operating rate and productivity of the sewingmachine.

[0004] In view of the problem of said conventional embroidery machinery,this inventor previously proposed embroidery machinery capable ofperforming the processing for change of colored thread withoutintervention of an operator (see PCT/JP97/02601 and PCT/JP97/02602).

[0005] This embroidery machinery, which can automatically perform theprocessing for change of colored thread without intervention of anoperator, could shorten the time itself required for such operation and,therefore, had an advantage of the possibility of improving theoperating rate and productivity of the sewing machine.

[0006] However, this sewing machine had a problem of somewhat lowaccuracy of threading.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the problems with said embroidery machinery, theobjective of the present invention is to provide a threading device forembroidery machinery, realized in such a way that it accurately performsthreading regardless of the thread type, for embroidery machinery, etc.capable of performing the process of changing of colored threadautomatically without the intervention of an operator, for example.

[0008] To achieve said objective, threading device for embroiderymachinery according to the present invention is characterized in that itis provided with a needle supporting mechanism, disposed movably facingthe hooking member, to prevent deflection of the needle, by correctingneedle deflection, when inserting the hooking member formed in the shapeof a hook at the tip of the thread pull-out mechanism in the needlehole.

[0009] Here, “facing the hooking member” does not necessarily requirethe needle position be in the axial direction.

[0010] According to this threading device for embroidery machinery, thethreading mechanism which is comprised of a thread pull-out mechanismprovided with a needle support mechanism formed in the shape of a hookat the tip, the thread pull-out mechanism being disposed movably facingthe hooking member to prevent deflection of the needle by correcting theneedle deflection, when inserting the hooking member in the needle hole,it becomes possible to pass the thread end, led to a position close tothe needle by being gripped with a thread gripping member, through theneedle hole by hooking the needle by means of a hooking member formed inthe shape of a hook at the tip. It also becomes possible to preventdeflection of the needle when inserting the hooking member in the needlehole, so insertion of the hooking member in the needle hole andthreading can be performed smoothly and accurately.

[0011] For that reason, by applying this threading device for embroiderymachinery to an embroidery machine capable of performing the process ofchanging thread colors, etc. without intervention of an operator, forexample, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for changingthread, thereby improving the operating rate and productivity of thesewing machine.

[0012] In such cases, the needle support mechanism may be constructed insuch a way that it supports the needle by swinging about in a horizontalplane from the standby position, or constructed in such a way as tosupport the needle by swinging about in a vertical plane from a standbyposition.

[0013] This increases freedom the needle support mechanism design andmakes it possible to accurately prevent the needle support mechanismfrom coming in contact with the thread tensioning mechanism and otheraccessory mechanisms of the embroidery machine, thus securing smoothdrive of the respective mechanisms.

[0014] It should be noted that, by constructing the needle supportmechanism in such a way that it supports the needle by swinging about ina vertical plane from the standby position, it becomes possible toreduce the width of the needle support mechanism and thus realize acompact structure for embroidery machinery, including the needle supportmechanism.

[0015] Moreover, it also becomes possible to form the tip of the needlesupport member of the needle support mechanism supporting the needle ina V shape.

[0016] This enables accurate correction deflection of the needle with asimple mechanism, preventing needle deflection.

[0017] Furthermore, in case of thread breakage, it is possible to insertthe hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism in the needle holeof the needle supported by the needle support mechanism, by driving thedrive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the drive mechanismof the needle support mechanism of the sewing machine head where thethread is broken, make the needle support mechanism return to itsstandby position, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle supportmechanism, and then have the needle pull-out mechanism retreat toperform threading, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle pull-outmechanism, in the state in which the thread is stretched on the hookingmember of the needle pull-out mechanism. It is further possible toautomatically perform the actions of inserting the hooking member of thethread pull-out mechanism in the needle hole of the needle supported bythe needle support mechanism, by driving, at least minimally, the drivemechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the drive mechanism ofthe needle support mechanism of the sewing machine head where the threadis broken, and making the needle support member return to its standbyposition, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle supportmechanism, and remaining on standby in that state.

[0018] This makes it possible to smoothly continue processing in case ofthread breakage in either manual work or semi-automatic operation, byusing the drive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the drivemechanism of the needle support mechanism, further improving theoperating rate and productivity of the sewing machine.

[0019] In addition, to achieve the same objective, the threading devicefor embroidery machinery according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the needle support mechanism, for positioning theneedle in a prescribed position by correcting needle deflection, wheninserting the hooking member formed in the shape of a hook at the tip ofthe thread pull-out mechanism in the needle hole, is disposed movably ata position above the hooking member.

[0020] By using this threading device for embroidery machinery, thethreading mechanism of which comprised of a thread pull-out mechanismprovided with a needle support mechanism formed in the shape of a hookat the tip and in which a needle bar support mechanism for correctingdeflection in the direction of the needle bar height when inserting thishooking member in the needle hole is disposed movably to a positionabove the hooking member, it becomes possible to correct deflection inthe direction of needle bar height and pass the end of the thread, ledto a position close to the needle by being gripped by a thread grippingmember, in the needle hole through the needle bar, by hooking the needleby means of a hooking member formed in the shape of a hook at the tip.It also becomes possible to prevent deflection of the needle wheninserting the hooking member in the needle hole, allowing smoothinsertion of the hooking member into the needle hole and accuratethreading.

[0021] In such a case, the needle support member of the needle barsupport mechanism may be formed in a V shape like a fork at the tip, insuch a way that it grips the needle and the guide provided in projectionin a horizontal direction on the needle bar at the same time, or formedin such a way as to fit the guide provided in projection on the needlebar.

[0022] This enables accurate deflection correction of the needle barwith a simple mechanism.

[0023] Also, the needle bar support mechanism may be constructed in sucha way that it can be driven in synchronization with the drive mechanismof the needle support mechanism.

[0024] This enables the user to sharply shorten the working time forthread change, etc., thereby improving the operating rate andproductivity of the sewing machine.

[0025] Moreover, it is also possible to dispose a guide piece on bothsides of the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism, and toform a projection on at least one of the guide pieces.

[0026] This makes it possible to easily stretch the thread held infingers, when manually performing processing in case of thread breakage,horizontally on the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism, andthus accurately perform manual threading.

[0027] Furthermore, to achieve the same objective, the threading devicefor embroidery machinery according to the present invention is athreading device for embroidery machinery including a thread tensioningmechanism, provided with a thread gripping member for gripping thethread hanging from the thread feed tube at its end, for leading thethread gripped by that thread gripping member to a position close to theneedle and placing the stretched thread on a balancing mechanism, and athreading mechanism for guiding the thread into the needle hole,characterized in that said threading mechanism is comprised of a threadpull-out mechanism, provided with a needle support mechanism formed inthe shape of a hook at the tip, and a thread stretching mechanism,movably mounted on the thread gripping member for stretching the threadgripped in the thread gripping member at its end horizontally on thehooking member, in the space formed with said thread gripping member.

[0028] By using this threading device for embroidery machinery, itbecomes possible to perform the process for changing of colored thread,etc. automatically without the intervention of an operator, and shortenthe time required for such an operation, thereby improving the operatingrate and productivity of the sewing machine.

[0029] Note that, because the threading mechanism is comprised of athread pull-out mechanism provided with a needle support mechanismformed in the shape of a hook at the tip and a thread stretchingmechanism movably mounted on the thread gripping member for stretchingthe thread gripped by the thread gripping member at its end horizontallyon the hooking member in the space formed with said thread grippingmember, it is possible to accurately pass the end of the thread, led toa position close to the needle by being gripped by a thread grippingmembers, through the needle hole by hooking the needle by means of ahooking member formed in the shape of a hook at the tip.

[0030] In this case, the thread stretching mechanism may be constructedin such a way as to stretch the thread gripped by the thread grippingmember at its end horizontally, in the space formed with said threadgripping member, by moving in a horizontal direction in the space formedwith said thread tensioning mechanism while getting to a position closeto the needle, following the thread gripping mechanism of the threadtensioning mechanism.

[0031] This makes it possible to stretch the thread gripped by thethread gripping member at its end horizontally on the hooking member ofthe thread pull-out mechanism automatically and accurately, with asimple mechanism.

[0032] Furthermore, the drive mechanism of the thread tensioningmechanism may be constructed in such a way that the moving speed of thethread gripping member moving from the thread feed tube to a positionclose to the needle may move slowly at the thread feed tube and aposition close to the needle but fast intermediate position betweenthem.

[0033] This enables quick movement of the thread gripping member fromthe thread feed tube to a position close to the needle, without anyinfluences on the thread gripping of threading process, thus shorteningthe time required for the processing of changing thread colored.

[0034] In addition, the needle support mechanism for preventingdeflection of the needle by correcting needle deflection when insertingthe hooking member in the needle hole, may be mounted movably facing thehooking member.

[0035] This makes it possible to prevent deflection when inserting thehooking member in the needle hole, and smoothly inserts the hookingmember into the needle hole to more accurately perform threading.

[0036] Moreover, the drive mechanism of the needle tensioning mechanismand/or the drive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and theneedle support mechanism may be constructed in a way that they aredriven independently at each sewing machine head of the embroiderymachinery.

[0037] This makes it possible to automatically perform all processingsteps relating to the thread, including processing in case of breakage,further improving the operating rate and productivity of the sewingmachine.

[0038] Furthermore, it is also possible to dispose a guide piece on bothsides of the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism, forming aprojection for temporarily fastening the thread on at least one of theguide pieces.

[0039] This makes it possible to easily stretch the thread held in theoperator's fingers, when manually performing a process in case of threadbreakage, horizontally on the hooking member of the thread pull-outmechanism, and thus accurately perform manual threading.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040]FIG. 1 is a general front elevation showing an embodiment of theembroidery machine according to the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 2 is a side view of above.

[0042]FIG. 3 indicates the thread length regulating mechanism, (A) beinga side sectional view, and (B) a plan view.

[0043]FIG. 4 indicates the main part of the thread length regulatingmechanism, (A) being a plan view, and (B) a side sectional view.

[0044]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thread length adjustingmechanism.

[0045]FIG. 6 indicates the slide member drive mechanism of the threadlength regulating mechanism, (A) being a side view, and (B) a plan view.

[0046]FIG. 7 indicates the thread feed mechanism, (A) being a plan view,and (B) a side sectional view.

[0047]FIG. 8 indicates the thread tension controlling device, (A) beinga plan view, and (B) a side view.

[0048]FIG. 9 is a front elevation showing a modified example of thebobbin housing.

[0049]FIG. 10 is a side view of above.

[0050]FIG. 11 indicates the threading device, (A) being a side view, and(B) a front elevation.

[0051]FIG. 12 is a front elevation showing the needle tensioningmechanism and the balancing mechanism in at the top.

[0052]FIG. 13 is a side view of above.

[0053]FIG. 14 is a front elevation of above.

[0054]FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing showing the drive mechanism ofthe thread tensioning mechanism.

[0055]FIG. 16 indicates the speed change mechanism of the drivemechanism for thread tensioning mechanism, (A) being a general view, (B)an explanatory drawing showing the transmission cam, and (C) anexplanatory drawing showing the drive speed.

[0056]FIG. 17 is a front elevation showing the thread tensioningmechanism and the threading mechanism at the bottom.

[0057]FIG. 18 is a plan view of above.

[0058]FIG. 19 indicates the thread gripping member of the threadtensioning mechanism and the thread stretching mechanism of thethreading mechanism, (A) being a plan view, (B) a front elevation, (C)an explanatory drawing showing the state before the gripping of thread,and (D) an explanatory drawing showing the state of gripping of thread.

[0059]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of above.

[0060]FIG. 21 indicates the thread stretching mechanism of the threadingmechanism, (A) being an exploded perspective view, and (B) a frontelevation.

[0061]FIG. 22 is a side view showing the drive mechanism of the threadgripping member of the thread tensioning mechanism.

[0062]FIG. 23 is a plan view of above.

[0063]FIG. 24 indicates the thread pull-out mechanism of the threadingmechanism and the drive mechanism for it, (A) being a side view, (B) aplan view.

[0064]FIG. 25 is a plan view of above.

[0065]FIG. 26 indicates the thread pull-out mechanism of the threadingmechanism, (A) being a plan view, (B) a side view, and (C) a frontelevation.

[0066]FIG. 27 indicates the thread pull-out mechanism of the threadingmechanism, (A) being a motion explanatory drawing, and (B) anexplanatory drawing showing the sequence of motions.

[0067]FIG. 28 indicates a modified embodiment of the thread pull-outmechanism of the threading mechanism, (A) being a plan view, (B) a sideview, (C) a front elevation, (D) an explanatory drawing showing thestate before pulling out of thread, and (E) an explanatory drawingshowing the state after the thread is pulled out.

[0068]FIG. 29 indicates a modified embodiment of the drive mechanism ofthe thread pull-out mechanism, (A) being a side view, (B) a frontelevation, and (C) a perspective view.

[0069]FIG. 30 is an appearance perspective view of the modifiedembodiment of the needle support mechanism and the needle bar supportmechanism.

[0070]FIG. 31 (A) is a front elevation of above, and (B) a sectionalview of above.

[0071]FIG. 32 is a side view of above.

[0072]FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the needle supportmechanism.

[0073]FIG. 34 indicates a modified embodiment of the needle supportmechanism and the needle bar support mechanism, (A) being a frontelevation, (B) a plan view, and (C) a side sectional view.

[0074]FIG. 35 indicates a modified embodiment of the needle supportmechanism and the needle bar support mechanism, (A) being a frontelevation, (B) a plan view, and (C) a side sectional view.

[0075]FIG. 36 indicates a modified embodiment of the threadingmechanism, (A) being a side view, and (B) a front elevation.

[0076]FIG. 37 indicates a modified embodiment of the balancingmechanism, (A) being a front elevation, and (B) a side view.

[0077]FIG. 38 is a side view showing a modified embodiment of thethreading mechanism and the balancing mechanism.

[0078]FIG. 39 indicates the thread gripping member of the threadtensioning mechanism and the thread stretching mechanism of thethreading mechanism, (A) being a plan view, and (B) a side sectionalview.

[0079]FIG. 40 is an explanatory drawing (1) showing motions of anembroidery machine.

[0080]FIG. 41 is an explanatory drawing (2) showing motions of anembroidery machine.

BEST MODES FOR EXECUTING THE INVENTION

[0081] An embodiment of the threading device for embroidery machineryaccording to the present invention will be described in detail below,with reference to drawings.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1˜FIG. 2, the main part of an embroidery machineis composed of a plurality of sewing machine heads 1, thread feed &recovery devices 2, a balancing mechanism 4, a threading device 5, etc.

[0083] This drawing of embodiment exemplifies part of the sewing machineheads provided in the number of several pieces to as many as 30 piecesin some cases on a single embroidery machine. And, the same constructionas that of the illustrated embodiment is employed for the other sewingmachine heads, and the respective sewing machine heads are designed tobe driven simultaneously by common drive sources of various types. Ifnecessary, a clutch may be interposed between the common drive sourceand the respective sewing machine heads, or an independent drive sourcemay be provided for each of the sewing machine heads, to enable to drivethe respective sewing machine heads independently of one another, butthose mechanisms are basically no different from those of theconventional embroidery machinery.

[0084] Moreover, all of the thread feed & recovery devices 2, threadingdevice 5, etc. provided on the sewing machine heads of the embroiderymachine in this embodiment shall preferably be provided, but part of thedevices may be replaced by other mechanism having similar function orsimply omitted, as the case may be.

[0085] Furthermore, while, in this embodiment, drive sources such aselectric motor, air cylinder, solenoid, etc. are used as drive sourcesof various kinds of drive mechanisms, some drive sources may also beemployed selectively as required, though not particularly mentioned oneach occasion.

[0086] Still more, while, in this embodiment, the connection betweenvarious kinds of drive mechanisms and drive sources is made by means ofconnecting mechanisms such as link mechanism, lever mechanism, wiremechanism, etc., these connecting mechanisms may be replaced by otherproper connecting mechanisms as required, though not particularlymentioned on each occasion.

[0087] Yet more, in this embodiment, as air source used for feeding thethread to the needle, a pump mechanism may be used which can send outair through extension and contraction of a bellow type air chamber, forexample, in addition to an air compressor.

[0088]FIG. 1˜FIG. 8 indicate an embodiment of the thread feed & recoverydevice 2, provided at the top of the sewing machine heads 1 of theembroidery machine.

[0089] This thread feed & recovery devices 2 is composed of a bobbinhousing 22 accommodating a plurality of bobbins 21 of colored thread,thread tension regulating mechanisms 25 provided in correspondence tothe number of pieces of the bobbins 21 accommodated in this bobbinhousing 22, a thread regulating mechanism 24 comprising a thread lengthregulating mechanism 26 and a thread feed mechanism 28, for holding thethread 11 sent out toward the needle 10 at prescribed length andrecovering and holding the thread 11 sent out toward the needle 10, anda thread selecting mechanism 29 for selectively positioning the threadfeed mechanism 28 corresponding to the required bobbin 21 above thethreading device 5 which performs threading on the required needle 10.

[0090] And, while, in this embodiment, the bobbin housing 22 isconstructed in a unit and detachably mounted on the sewing machine head1, it may be fixed to the sewing machine head 1, as required, or mayalso be constructed in a way to slide integrally with the threadregulating mechanism 24, the thread feed mechanism 28, etc. which aremade to slide by the thread selecting mechanism 29, as in the modifiedembodiment indicated in FIG. 9˜FIG. 10.

[0091] The bobbin housing 22 is realized, for example, in a way toaccommodate a total number of 20 bobbins 21 by loading, on each sewingmachine head 1, 2 pairs of bobbin housing unit 22A, 22B each of whichcan accommodate 10 pieces of bobbin 21, and the bobbin housing units22A, 22B are provided, at the bottom face, with a spindle 22 a inupright position for inserting and supporting the bobbins 21, while athread holder 23 for pulling out the threads 11 from the respectivebobbins 21 without entanglement is provided in fixed position above themain body 24 a of the thread regulating mechanism 24, so as to pull outa total number of 20 threads 11 from the thread holder 23 by securing afree space among them and feed them into the thread tension regulatingmechanisms 25 of the thread regulating mechanism 24.

[0092] And, to pull out the threads 11 from the respective bobbins 21without entanglement, duct lines 23 a made of transparent syntheticresin pipe may be disposed from the thread holder 23 up to a positionabove the main body 24 a of the thread regulating mechanism 24, to passthe threads 11 one by one through those duct lines 23 a.

[0093] The thread tension regulating mechanisms 25 have 2 thread tensionregulating members 25 a, 25 b for each of the threads 11 from therespective bobbins 21, provided on the outer circumferential face of themain body 24 a of the thread regulating mechanism 24.

[0094] On one of the thread tension regulating members 25 b is disposeda tension sensor (not illustrated) for measuring the tension of thethreads 11, so that breakage, etc. of the threads 11 may be detected.

[0095] The signal from this tension sensor is sent, as electric signal,from an electric contact (not illustrated) disposed in the threadregulating mechanism 24 to the control unit of the embroidery machine,through an electric circuit (not illustrated) provided with an electriccontact disposed in the sewing machine head 1, to control the drive ofthe embroidery machine and notify the operator of breakage of thethreads 11 by lighting the indicating lamp (not illustrated), indicatingthe state of upper thread and lower thread, disposed on the sewingmachine head 1, etc.

[0096] In addition to the indicating lamps, at proper positions of theembroidery machine may be provided display unit such as liquid crystaldisplay board, etc. and alarm device such as buzzer, etc. for indicatingthe state of the embroidery machine to the operator.

[0097] The thread length regulating mechanism 26 provided below thethread tension regulating mechanism 25 is intended to hold the threads11 sent out toward the needle 10 at prescribed length or, to beconcrete, at a length by which the threads 11 of a length required forstarting embroidery work are inserted in the needle 10, when the tip ofthe threads 11 is guided to a position close to the needle 10 by thethreading device 5, and to recover and hold the threads 11 sent outtoward the needle 10. This thread length regulating mechanism 26 isconstructed in a way to form a thread inserter 26 b at the tip of asliding member 26 a sliding along 2 pieces each of guide member 26 dprovided about in horizontal position, selectively make slide aplurality of sliding members 26 a with the drive mechanism 27 of thesliding members 26 a, and selectively position the thread inserter 26 bformed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a at the thread feedposition 26A and holding position 26B.

[0098] This drive mechanism 27 of the sliding members 26 a of the threadlength regulating mechanism 26 is composed of levers 27 c, 27 d providedon common drive shafts 27 a, 27 b disposed in a way to range over aplurality of sewing machine heads 1, sliding rods 27 e, 27 f driven bythose levers 27 c, 27 d, a pushing member 27 g of the sliding member 26a and a pulling member 27 h of the sliding member 26 a disposed at thetip of the sliding rods 27 e, 27 f respectively, as shown in FIG. 2˜FIG.7, to thereby enable to perform replacement of colored thread, on eachof the sewing machine heads 1 provided in the number of several piecesto as many as 30 pieces in some cases on a single embroidery machine.

[0099] In this case, the drive shaft 27 a, the lever 27 c, the slidingrod 27 e and the pushing member 27 g are intended to move the threadinserter 26 b formed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a from thethread holding position 26B to the feed position 26A, while, on theother hand, the drive shaft 27 b, the lever 27 d, the sliding rod 27 fand the pulling member 27 h are used for moving the thread inserter 26 bformed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a from the feed position 26Ato the thread holding position 26B.

[0100] The drive mechanism 27 of the sliding members 26 a of the threadlength regulating mechanism 26 may be constructed in a way to be drivenindependently for each sewing machine head 1 of the embroidery machine,by interposing a proper clutch mechanism (not illustrated) such as key,etc. driven by optional drive sources such as electromagnetic clutch,solenoid, motor, air cylinder, etc., to thereby enable to performprocessing relating to all threads 11 including processing in case ofbreakage of threads 11, and further improve the operating rate andproductivity of the sewing machine.

[0101] And, the embroidery machine of this embodiment is so designed asto move the thread feed pipe 28 a sideways by a step (right side facingthe front face of the sewing machine head 1) in the state where thethreads 11 are placed on it, by driving the thread selecting mechanism29 of the thread feeder 2, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, to performembroidery. Therefore, the respective members of the drive mechanism 27are also disposed at the same interval as the disposing pitch of slidingmembers 26 a in the direction of breadth of the sewing machine heads 1.

[0102] As described above, a drive shaft 27 a provided with a lever 27c, etc. for moving the thread inserter 26 b from the thread holdingposition 26B to the feed position 26A, and moving a drive shaft 27 bprovided with a lever 27 d, etc. for moving the thread inserter 26 bfrom the feed position 26A to the thread holding position 26B areprovided separately, to make it possible to first recover the threads11, by moving the adjacent 2 sliding members 26 a, 26 a individually inopposite directions, usually, by means of the lever 27 c and the lever27 d, etc., and then feed the threads 11. Moreover, by moving the twoabout simultaneously in opposite directions, as required, it becomespossible to perform feed and recovery of the threads 11 aboutsimultaneously, as required, and remarkably shorten the time requiredfor the replacement of colored threads.

[0103] Furthermore, since the sliding members 26 a of the thread lengthregulating mechanism 26 are designed to slide along the guide member 26d provided about in horizontal position, the position of the slidingmembers 26 a forming the thread inserter 26 b does not change, and thismakes it possible to accurately hold the sliding members 26 a formingthe thread inserter 26 b at prescribed position, and thus improve thedriving stability of the device.

[0104] In this case, magnets 26 e, 26 e for adsorbing and holding thesliding member 26 a at prescribed position on the front and rear sidesmay be disposed, to make it possible to hold the sliding members 26 aforming the thread inserter 26 b more accurately at prescribed position.And, in adaptation to those magnets 26 e, 26 e, a member adsorbed to themagnet 26 e is pasted on the face to be in contact with the magnet 26 eof the sliding member 26 a. The magnet holding the sliding members 26 aforming the thread inserter 26 b at prescribed position may be providedon the sliding member 26 a side as well.

[0105] The thread inserter 26 b disposed at the tip of the slidingmembers 26 a of the thread length regulating mechanism 26 is formed inabout U shape, though not particularly restricted to it, to be capableof holding the threads 11 of a length by which the threads 11 of alength required for starting embroidery work are inserted in the needle10, when the tip of the threads 11 is guided to a position close to theneedle 10 by the threading device 5, and placing the threads 11 in 2round trips in the space formed with the thread inserter 26 c disposedon the main body 24 a side of the thread regulating mechanism 24 inabout E shape.

[0106] In this case, at least the surface 26 b 2 of thread inserter 26 bto be inserted in the thread inserter 26 c is depressed to the positionof the thread 11 inserting hole 26 b 1, to thereby prevent the threads11 from being gripped and cut off between the thread inserters 26 b, 26c.

[0107] Still more, in the thread inserter 26 c disposed on the main body24 a side of the thread regulating mechanism 24 is disposed a threadholding member 26 f such as felt, etc. provided with an elastic membersuch as sheet spring, etc. on the back face, to hold the threads 11placed in the space formed with the thread inserter 26 b loose. Thismakes it possible to prevent the threads 11, inserted in the thread feedmechanism 28 after being placed between the thread inserters 26 b, 26 c,from falling off inadvertently from the thread feed mechanism 28, andprevent the threads 11 from loosening, when recovering the threads 11sent out toward the needle 10 into the thread length regulatingmechanism 26.

[0108] The thread feed mechanism 28 provided at the bottom of the mainbody 24 a side of the thread regulating mechanism 24, below the threadlength regulating mechanism 26, is intended to prevent mutualentanglement of adjacent threads 11 for sending out the threads smoothlytoward the needle 10, and comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, a thread feedtube 28 a disposed in a way to move up and down for leading the threads11 to the threading device 5, a compression spring 28 b provided asrequired for urging the thread feed tube 28 a in the downward direction,an operating piece 28 d(c?) of the thread feed tube 28 a, an operatinglever 28 d of the operating piece 28 d(c?), and a drive mechanism 28 eof the operating lever 28 d.

[0109] In this case, the thread feed tube 28 a is designed to bepositioned, when it is down, between the mobile gripping piece 31 a andthe fixed gripping piece 31 b of the thread gripping member 31 in thethread tensioning mechanism 3 of the threading device 5, so that, bydriving the drive mechanism 28 e of the operating lever 28 d in thatstate, it may become possible to operate the operating piece 28 d(c?) ofthe thread feed tube 28 a with the operating lever 28 d, to make thethread feed tube 28 a go up against the urging force of the compressionspring 28 b and expose the threads 11, and to hold the threads 11accurately with the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed grippingpiece 31 b of the thread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioningmechanism 3.

[0110] The thread selecting mechanism 29, intended for selectivelypositioning the thread feed tube 28 a of the thread feed mechanism 28corresponding to the required bobbin 21 above the threading device 5 forpassing the threads 11 in the required needle 10, is arranged, in thisembodiment, in a way to perform replacement of colored threadssimultaneously, for each of the sewing machine heads 1 provided in thenumber of several pieces to as many as 30 pieces in some cases on asingle embroidery machine, by sliding the thread regulating mechanism24.

[0111] In this case, the thread selecting mechanism 29 is designed to becontrolled by the control unit of the embroidery machine, to make itpossible to select a large number of colored threads automatically, bymaking the control unit memorize in advance the type (color) of therespective bobbins 21 housed in the bobbin housing 22.

[0112] Yet more, while the thread tension regulating mechanisms 25, thethread length regulating mechanism 26 and the thread feed mechanism 28constituting the thread regulating mechanism 24 are provided incorrespondence to the number of bobbins 21 which can be housed in thebobbin housing 22 respectively, namely in 20 sets in this embodiment, onthe main body 24 a of the thread regulating mechanism 24, the drivemechanism 27 of the sliding member 26 a is provided in the number of onepiece on the sewing machine head 1 side, to be used in a way to operatethe one which is in prescribed position or work with the one which is inprescribed position of those 20 sets of mechanisms, namely used commonlyfor those 20 sets of mechanisms.

[0113] Moreover, in the case where the bobbin housing units 22A, 22B aredetachably mounted on the sewing machine head 1, the bobbin housingunits 22A, 22B shall, preferably, be provided in a plural number ofmultiples of the number of the sewing machine heads 1. This makes itpossible, when replacing the colored threads, to shorten the timerequired for the change of colored threads by replacing the bobbinhousing units 22A, 22B as a whole. For example, if the bobbin housingunits 22A, 22B of this embodiment are provided in a number twice thenumber of the sewing machine heads 1, replacement of colored threads of40 different colors max. can be made in a short time. In that case, byhaving the control unit of the embroidery machine memorize in advancethe type (color) of the respective bobbins 21 housed in the bobbinhousing 22, it becomes possible to replace a large number of coloredthreads automatically, by simply replacing the bobbin housing units 22A,22B.

[0114] Furthermore, while, in this embodiment, the thread regulatingmechanism 24 is arranged to be made to slide by the thread selectingmechanism 29, to selectively position the thread feed tube 28 a of thethread feed mechanism 28 corresponding to the required bobbin 21 abovethe threading device 5 for passing the threads 11 in the required needle10, it is also possible to adopt a mechanism for swingably drive thethread regulating mechanism 24 with its spindle as axis of oscillation,as thread selecting mechanism.

[0115] Still more, on the sewing machine head 1 near the main body 24 aof the thread regulating mechanism 24 is disposed a thread tensionregulating device 25 c for adjusting the strength of tension of thethreads 11 applied by 2 thread tension regulating members 25 a, 25 b, asshown in FIG. 8.

[0116] This thread tension regulating device 25 c, which can apply tothe threads 11 a tension equal to the tension exerted on the threads 11,through a balancing mechanism 4 composed of a balance 41 and anauxiliary balance 42, the needle 10, etc. located below the thread feed& recovery device 2 to be described later, makes it possible touniformly regulate the strength of tension of the threads 11 from therespective bobbins 21 applied by 2 thread tension regulating members 25a, 25 b, without placing the threads 11 on the balance 41, the auxiliarybalance 42, the needle 10, etc. And, this thread tension regulatingdevice 25 c has a magnet at its base, so that it may be selectively anddetachably installed at proper position on the sewing machine head 1 or,to be more concrete, at a position between the thread feed tube 28 a ofthe thread feed mechanism 28 provided for sending out the threads 11from the respective bobbins 21 toward the needle 10.

[0117] Below the thread feed & recovery device 2 of the sewing machinehead 1 is disposed a threading device 5 composed of a thread tensioningmechanism 3 and a threading mechanism 6, as shown in FIG. 11˜(and?) FIG.27.

[0118] The thread tensioning mechanism 3, for guiding the end of thethreads 11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a of the thread feeder 2to a position close to the needle 10, is composed of a thread grippingmember 31, a lever 32 provided at the tip with the thread grippingmember 31, a sliding piece 33 supporting the bottom end of the lever 32,a guide groove 34 of the sliding piece 33 disposed about in up-downdirection on the main body of the thread tensioning mechanism 30, a belt35 for lifting the sliding piece 33 along the guide groove 34, and adrive mechanism 36 for driving the belt 35.

[0119] As described above, by constructing the thread tensioningmechanism 3 with a lever 32, a lifting sliding piece 33, etc., itbecomes possible to realize the thread tensioning mechanism 3 in compactsize, and reduce especially the amount of projection on front side ofthe sewing machine head 1 of the thread gripping member 31.

[0120] This thread tensioning mechanism 3 is provided with a shoe member31 e swingably operated by a drive mechanism 1 a such as rotarysolenoid, etc. disposed on the sewing machine head 1, to make itpossible for the thread gripping member 31 to grip the end the threads11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a, when moving the threadgripping member 31 from the standby position at about the middle part(right under the lowest position of the auxiliary balance 42 of thebalancing mechanism 4 to be described later) to the highest positionwhere to grip the end part of the threads 11 hanging from the threadfeed tube 28 a, by driving the belt 35 with the drive mechanism 36. Andit is so arranged that the contact member 31 f disposed at the tip ofthe operating piece 31 d(c?) protruding from the mobile gripping piece31 a of the thread gripping member 31 gets in contact with this shoemember 31 e, to open the mobile gripping piece 31 a against the urgingforce of the spring member 31 c and position the thread feed tube 28 abetween the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed gripping piece 31b.

[0121] And, (this thread tensioning mechanism 3) is constructed in sucha way as to operate the operating piece 28 c of the thread feed tube 28a with the operating lever 28 d of the thread feed mechanism 28, bydriving the drive mechanism 28 e of the operating lever 28 d in thatstate, to make the thread feed tube 28 a go up against the urging forceof the compression spring 28 b and expose the threads 11, and then swingthe shoe member 31 e with a drive mechanism 1 a such as rotary solenoid,etc. to cancel the contact between the shoe member 31 e and the contactmember 31 f, restore the mobile gripping piece 31 a and grip the threads11 inserted between the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixedgripping piece 31 b.

[0122] And, it is constructed by disposing a shoe member 31 g swingablyoperated by a drive mechanism 1 a such as rotary solenoid, etc. througha connecting rod 1 b, to make it possible to move, by driving the belt35 in that state, the thread gripping member 31 from the highestposition to the lowest position of its stroke, to guide the threads 11led to a position close to the needle 10 to the needle hole 10 a forthreading, and then release the end of the threads 11 which have beengripped by the thread gripping member 31, so as to press the contactmember 31 f disposed at the tip of the operating piece 31 d(c?)protruding from the mobile gripping piece 31 a of the thread grippingmember 31, with this shoe member 31 g, to open the mobile gripping piece31 a against the urging force of the spring member 31 c.

[0123] After that, the thread gripping member 31 is made to move, bydriving the belt 35, to the standby position at about the middle part,to remain on standby.

[0124] Moreover, the drive mechanism 36 is constructed in such a waythat the drive shaft 36 b of the belt 35 can be selectively driven inboth the normal and reverse directions with the motor 36 a, as shown inFIG. 15˜FIG. 16.

[0125] And, in this embodiment, the drive mechanism 36 is provided witha speed change cam 36 c interposed at an intermediate point of thedriving force transmission mechanism connecting between the motor 36 aand the drive shaft 36 b of the belt 35, to make the moving speed of thethread gripping member 31 moving from the thread feed tube 28 a to aposition close to the needle 10 slow down at the thread feed tube 28 aand at a position close to the needle 10 but become fast at intermediateposition between them.

[0126] This enables to move the thread gripping member 31 from thethread feed tube 28 a to a position close to the needle 10 quickly,without having any influences on the gripping of thread and thethreading process, thus shortening the time itself required for theprocessing for change of colored thread.

[0127] While, in this embodiment, a speed change cam 36 c is used forchanging the moving speed of the thread gripping member 31, the speedchange mechanism is not restricted to it, and it is also all right tochange moving speed of the thread gripping member 31 by making therotational speed of the motor 36 a itself variable by using a steppingmotor, etc. for the motor 36 a.

[0128] The drive mechanism 36 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3 maybe constructed in a way to be driven independently at each sewingmachine head 1 of the embroidery machinery, by interposing a properclutch mechanism (not illustrated) such as key, etc. driven by anelectromagnetic clutch or solenoid, to thereby enable to performprocessing relating to all threads 11 including processing in case ofbreakage of threads 11, and further improve the operating rate andproductivity of the sewing machine.

[0129] Furthermore, on the thread tensioning mechanism 3 are disposedlimit switches (not illustrated) at proper positions in the liftingroute of the sliding piece 33 such as, for example, standby positionnear the intermediate position of the thread gripping member 31, highestposition where the thread gripping member 31 grips the end of thethreads 11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a and the lowestposition where it performs threading, to enable to detect the positionof the sliding piece 33. The position where to dispose the limit switchis decided in such a way to be adjustable as required.

[0130] Still more, (the thread tensioning mechanism 3) is so designedthat the thread feed tube 28 a from which threads other than the threads11 gripped by the thread gripping member 31 are hanging is pushed up,with the top face of the lever 32 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3,against the urging force of the compression spring 28 b, when the threadgripping member 31 is moved from the thread feed tube 28 a to thehighest position where it grips the end of the threads 11 hanging fromthe thread feed tube 28 a.

[0131] On the top face of the lever 32 is disposed a softening agent 32a such as felt, etc. to prevent the threads 11 hanging from the threadfeed tube 28 a from being gripped between the top face of the lever 32and the bottom end of the thread feed tube 28 a to be damaged, at thattime.

[0132] The threads 11 stretched between the thread feed tube 28 a of thethread feeder 2 and a position close to the needle 10 by the threadtensioning mechanism 3 is placed on the balance 41 and the auxiliarybalance 42 of the balancing mechanism 4, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0133] While, in this embodiment, the balancing mechanism 4 and theneedle 10 corresponding to this balancing mechanism 4 are provided in 2sets, and the frame 1 c on which are provided those needles 10 isconstructed in a way to swing in a horizontal plane, it is also possibleto increase the number of sets of the needles 10 to be provided on theframe 1 c or construct the frame 1 c in a way to slide in a horizontalplane.

[0134] In the balance 41 is formed a thread hooking hole 41 a having anotch at the tip through which the threads 11 may be inserted.

[0135] The auxiliary balance 42 is composed of a ring-shaped threadhooking hole 42 a, a lever 42 b forming the thread hooking hole 42 a atthe front end, a sliding piece 42 c for slidably supporting the lever 42b, a guide tube 42 d of the sliding piece 42 c disposed about invertical direction on the main body of the thread tensioning mechanism30, a magnet piece 42 e for bringing the sliding piece 42 c up and downalong the guide tube 34 along with rise and fall of the thread grippingmember 31 by sticking to the thread gripping member 31 of the threadtensioning mechanism 3, a guide groove 42 g for controlling the positionof the thread hooking hole 42 a by guiding a roller 42 f disposed at theother end of the lever 42 b, and a spring member 42 h for urging theroller 42 f, disposed at the other end of the lever 42 b, to get incontact with the guide groove 42 g.

[0136] This auxiliary balance 42 of the balancing mechanism 4 makes thethread gripping member 31 move from the standby position at about themiddle part to the highest position where to grip the end of the threads11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a, by driving the belt 35 withthe drive mechanism 36 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3. And thenthe sliding piece 42 c also moves up to the highest position followingthe thread gripping member 31, and the thread feed tube 28 a and the endof the threads 11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a are inserted inthe thread hooking hole 42 a.

[0137] And, as the thread gripping member 31 located right under thethread hooking hole 42 a grips the threads 11 and the belt 35 is drivenby the drive mechanism 36 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3, thethread gripping member 31 moves from the highest position to the lowestposition. At that time, the sliding piece 42 c also comes down bysticking to the thread gripping member 31 but the sliding piece 42 c isblocked by the bottom end of the guide groove 42 g at about the middleposition and cannot descend beyond that point. The sliding piece 42 c istherefore separated from the thread gripping member 31, and remains inthis position, i.e. the standby position at the bottom dead center. Inaddition, in line with the descent of the sliding piece 42 c, the lever42 b provided at the front end with the thread hooking hole 42 a inwhich are inserted the threads 11 slides in horizontal directionaccording to the shape of the guide groove 42 g against the urging forceof the spring member 42 h, as the roller 42 f disposed at the other endgets in contact with the guide groove 42 g, to thereby pass the threads11 into the thread hooking hole 41 a formed at the front end of thebalance 41, while the sliding piece 42 c descends.

[0138] The thread hooking hole 41 a of the balance 41 shall preferablyform a locking device such as trap, etc. for protection against fallingof the threads 11 inserted in it.

[0139] This makes it possible for the threads 11 to be hooked in thethread hooking hole 41 a of the balance 41 and the thread hooking hole42 a of the auxiliary balance 42, to perform embroidery in the stateheld in the prescribed zigzag shape.

[0140] During the embroidery, the balance 41 is alternately driven by adrive mechanism similar to that of conventional embroidery machinery,while, on the other hand, the auxiliary balance 42 is held in thestandby position at the bottom dead center.

[0141] The threading mechanism 6, designed to guide the threads 11, ledto a position close to the needle 10 by the thread tensioning mechanism3, to the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, and perform threading, iscomposed of a thread pull-out mechanism 61 provided with a hookingmember 61 a, a drive mechanism 62 for the thread pull-out mechanism 61,and a thread stretching mechanism 63, movably mounted on the threadgripping member 31, for stretching the end part of the threads 11gripped by the thread gripping member 31 about horizontally on thehooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61, in the spaceformed with the thread gripping member 31.

[0142] The thread pull-out mechanism 61 is composed of a hooking member61 a the tip of which is formed in the shape of a hook, and a supportingmember 61 b on which is mounted the hooking member 61 a.

[0143] While, in this embodiment, the thread pull-out mechanism 61 isconstructed by simply mounting a hooking member 61 a the tip of which isformed in the shape of a hook on a supporting member 61 b, a threadpull-out mechanism 61 may also be used which comprises guide pieces 61d, 61 d disposed, through spacers 61 f, 61 f, on both sides of thehooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61, and forms aprojection 61 e for temporarily fastening the threads 11 at least to theguide piece 61 d on one side as shown in FIG. 28, to make it possible tostretch the thread held in the operator's fingers, when manuallyperforming processing in case of breakage of the thread 11, abouthorizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism61.

[0144] Moreover, while, in this embodiment, the thread pull-outmechanism 61 is constructed in such a way that the thread pull-outmechanism 61 descends and advances to insert the tip of the hookingmember 61 a in the needle hole 10 a, and then retreats and goes up, sothat the standby position of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 may bepositioned fairly higher than the position of the needle hole 10 a ofthe needle 10, to prevent the thread pull-out mechanism 61 from gettingin contact with the product to be embroidered such as hat, for example,the thread pull-out mechanism 61 may also be constructed, in the case ofan embroidery machine intended for ordinary products without ups anddowns, in such a way that the thread pull-out mechanism 61 is made toadvance linearly from off above, by means of a drive mechanism 62 k suchas rotary solenoid, etc. disposed on the sewing machine head 1, as shownin FIG. 29, to insert the tip of the hooking member 61 a in the needlehole 10 a, and then retreats linearly off upward.

[0145] This enables to simplify the construction of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 including the drive mechanism 62 k.

[0146] The drive mechanism 62 of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 iscomposed of a holding member 62 a slidably disposed on the frame 1 c onthe sewing machine head 1 side, for supporting the supporting member 61b of the thread pull-out mechanism 61, a drive lever 62 b fit to theholding member 62 a at the middle part through an axis 62 i, for drivingthe supporting member 61 b slidably held by the holding member 62 a, anda drive mechanism 62 c of the drive lever 62 b.

[0147] And, this threading mechanism 6 pushes down the pin 61 c fixed tothe supporting member 61 b inserted in the slit 62 d provided on theother end side of the drive lever 62 b, by pressing one end of the drivelever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, and makes the thread pull-outmechanism 61 descend through the supporting member 61 b to which isfixed the pin 61 c, by making the pin 61 c descend along the groove 62 eformed in the holding member 62 a.

[0148] By further pushing forward, in this state, one end of the drivelever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, the axis 62 i of the drivelever 62 b is made to advance along the frame 1 c, to thereby make theholding member 62 a and the supporting member 61 b of the threadpull-out mechanism 61 advance, so that the tip of the hooking member 61a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 may be inserted in the needle hole10 a.

[0149] And, it is so arranged that the holding member 62 a is gripped bya gripping member 62 f such as sheet spring, etc., at the position ofthe frame 1 c, to make the holding member 62 a slides accurately andstabilizes in position in the frame 1 c.

[0150] Furthermore, an urging member 62 g such as compression spring,etc. is disposed at the inner bottom of the holding member 62 a in whichis inserted the supporting member 61 b, to make the supporting member 61b of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 slides accurately and stabilizesin position in the holding member 62 a.

[0151] Still more, a cam plate 62 h, for guiding the pin 62 i providedin projection on the drive lever 62 b, is provided on the frame 1 c, sothat, when inserting the tip of the hooking member 61 a of the threadpull-out mechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a, first the thread pull-outmechanism 61 descends, in line with driving of the drive mechanism 62 c,while, on the other hand, when extracting the tip of the hooking member61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 from the needle hole 10 a,first the thread pull-out mechanism 61 retreats, and then goes up.

[0152] The drive mechanism 62 c of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 maybe slidably constructed independently for each sewing machine head 1 ofthe embroidery machine in a way to be capable of individual driving, tothereby make it possible to perform all processings relating to all thethreads 11 including processing in case of breakage of thread 11automatically, and make the thread pull-out mechanism 61 available foruse also when performing the processing in case of breakage of thread 11manually, further improving the operating rate and productivity of thesewing machine.

[0153] Yet more, while, in this embodiment, the thread pull-outmechanism 61 is constructed in such a way that the thread pull-outmechanism 61 descends and advances to insert the tip of the hookingmember 61 a in the needle hole 10 a, and then retreats and goes up, sothat the standby position of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 may bepositioned fairly higher than the position of the needle hole 10 a ofthe needle 10, to prevent the thread pull-out mechanism 61 from gettingin contact with the product to be embroidered such as hat, for example,the thread pull-out mechanism 61 may also be constructed, in the case ofan embroidery machine intended for ordinary products without ups anddowns, in such a way that the thread pull-out mechanism 61 is made toadvance linearly from off above, by means of a drive mechanism 62 k suchas rotary solenoid, etc. disposed on the sewing machine head 1, as shownin FIG. 29, to insert the tip of the hooking member 61 a in the needlehole 10 a, and then retreats linearly off upward.

[0154] This enables to simplify the construction of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 including the drive mechanism 62 k.

[0155] By the way, a needle supporting mechanism 7 is disposed movablyfacing the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61, forpreventing deflection of the needle 10, by correcting deflection of theneedle 10, when making the thread pull-out mechanism 61 descend toinsert the tip of the hooking member 61 a in the needle hole 10 a.

[0156] This needle supporting mechanism 7 is constructed, as shown inFIG. 24˜FIG. 25, with a needle supporting member 71 the tip of which isformed in about V shape, and a drive mechanism 72 for swinging theneedle supporting member 71, through a lever 73 and a rod 76 mounted onthe base end side of the needle supporting member 71, so that it maysupport the needle 10 by swinging it in about a horizontal plane with aspindle 74.

[0157] In that case, the needle support mechanism 7 may be constructedin a way to support the needle 10 by swinging in about a horizontalplane from the standby position, as shown in this embodiment, orconstructed in such a way that it supports the needle 10 by swinging inabout a vertical plane from the standby position, as described later(embodiment indicated in FIG. 30˜FIG. 33).

[0158] This increases freedom of design of the needle support mechanism7 and makes it possible to accurately prevent the needle supportmechanism 7 from getting in contact with the thread tensioning mechanism3 and other accessory mechanisms of the embroidery machinery, and tothus secure smooth drive of the respective mechanisms easily.

[0159] And, it is so arranged as to drive the needle support member 71by operating the drive mechanism 72, before inserting the tip of thehooking member 61 a in the needle hole 10 a by making the threadpull-out mechanism 61 descend and advance, so as to support the needle10 with the tip of the needle support member 71 formed in about V shape.

[0160] This makes it possible to prevent deflection of the needle 10when inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism61 in the needle hole 10 a, so as to insert the hooking member 61 a inthe needle hole 10 a smoothly and perform the threading more accurately.

[0161] The drive mechanism 72 of the needle support mechanism 7 may bedrivably constructed independently for each sewing machine head 1 of theembroidery machine in a way to be capable of individual driving, tothereby make it possible to perform processing relating to all thethreads 11 including processing in case of breakage of threadautomatically, and make the thread pull-out mechanism 61 available foruse also when performing the processing in case of breakage of thread 11manually, further improving the operating rate and productivity of thesewing machine.

[0162] The thread stretching mechanism 63, designed for stretching theend part of the threads 11 gripped by the thread gripping member 31 onthe hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 abouthorizontally in the space formed with the thread gripping member 31, iscomposed of a first sliding member 63 a and a second sliding member 63 bslidably mounted on the thread gripping member 31. And, on the firstsliding member 63 a are formed a sliding piece 63 c sliding along theguide groove 64 disposed in about vertical direction in the main body ofthe thread tensioning mechanism 30 at the base end and a bar-shapedthread gripping piece 63 d at the tip, respectively.

[0163] Moreover, on the second sliding member 63 b is formed a flatshaped thread gripping piece 63 e at the tip.

[0164] And, the sliding piece 63 c of the first sliding member 63 aslides along the guide groove 64, in line with the descent of the threadgripping member 31, the first sliding member 63 a slides to the right,in FIG. 27. To make, at that time, the first sliding member 63 a and thesecond sliding member 63 b move together, after the first sliding member63 a moved by a prescribed distance, or about 10 mm for example againstthe second sliding member 63 b, it is so arranged as to insert afastening piece 63 g, formed at the base end of the second slidingmember 63 b, in a window 62 f formed in the first sliding member 63 a,and dispose a spring 63 h for controlling movement to the right of thesecond sliding member 63 b between the fastening piece 63 g formed atthe base end of the second sliding member 63 b and the thread grippingmember 31, and dispose a spring 63 i for controlling movement to theright of the first sliding member 63 a between the fastening piece 63 jformed at the base end of the first sliding member 63 a and thefastening piece 63 g formed at the base end of the second sliding member63 b respectively.

[0165] In that case, it is so constructed that, by setting the springconstant of the spring 63 i smaller than the spring constant of thespring 63 h, first the spring 63 i is greatly deformed, when an externalforce is applied to it, and then the spring 63 h is deformed, to make itpossible for the first sliding member 63 a and the second sliding member63 b to make the above-mentioned motion.

[0166] This thread stretching mechanism 63 descends together with thethread gripping member 31, when moving the thread gripping member 31from the highest position where to grip the end part of the threads 11hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a to the lowest position, bydriving the belt 35 with the drive mechanism 36 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3.

[0167] And, it is so arranged as to grip the end part of the threads 11,gripped by the thread gripping member 31 located between the threadgripping piece 63 d of the first sliding member 63 a and the threadgripping piece 63 e of the second sliding member 63 b, with the threadgripping piece 63 d and the thread gripping piece 63 e, as the slidingpiece 63 c of the first sliding member 63 a slides along the guidegroove 64, in line with the descent of the sliding piece 42 c, andstretch it about horizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the threadpull-out mechanism 61 where the end part of the threads 11 is insertedin the needle hole 10 a, in the space formed with the thread grippingmember 31.

[0168] And, after stretching the end of this thread 11 abouthorizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a, (the thread stretching mechanism63) drives the drive lever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, to makethe thread pull-out mechanism 61 retreat and, while hooking the thread11 on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 thetip of which is formed in the shape of a hook, extracts the hookingmember 61 a from the needle hole 10 a, and pushes the contact member 31f disposed at the tip of the operating piece 31 d provided in projectionon the mobile gripping piece 31 a of the thread gripping member 31, withthe shoe member 31 g swung by a drive mechanism 1 a such as rotarysolenoid, etc. through a connecting rod 1 b, to cancel the grip of thethread 11 by opening the mobile gripping piece 31 a against the urgingforce of the spring member 31 c, to perform threading.

[0169] By the way, the embroidery machine of this embodiment is soarranged as to drive the thread selecting mechanism 29 of the threadfeeder 2, when the thread gripping member 31 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3 of the threading device 5 dropped to about the middle point(right under the lowest position of the auxiliary balance 42 of thebalance mechanism 4 to be described later), as shown in FIG. 1, to makethe thread feed tube 28 a move sideways (to the right) by a step in thestate where the thread 11 is stretched, for threading, before performingembroidery.

[0170] Next, explanation will be made on the operating method of theembroidery machine according to the present invention.

[0171] First, the operating method in the stage before embroidery willbe explained.

[0172] When starting an embroidery work, store bobbins 21 of coloredthreads respectively, in the bobbin housing 22 of the thread feed &recovery device 2 at the sewing machine head 1 of the embroiderymachine, stretch the threads 11 delivered from the bobbins 21 on thethread tension regulating mechanism 24 through the thread holder 23, andlet hang the end part of the threads 11 by a prescribed length from thethread feed tube 28 a.

[0173] At that time, on the thread length regulating mechanism 26, holdthe threads 11 delivered toward the needle 10 at prescribed length or,to be concrete, by a length at which the thread 11 of the lengthrequired for starting the embroidery work is inserted in the needle 10,when the tip of the thread 11 is led to a position close to the needle10 by the threading device 5.

[0174] Next, the operating method for starting embroidery will beexplained.

[0175] By driving the thread selecting mechanism 29, slide the threadtension regulating mechanism 24, and position the thread feed tube 28 aof the thread feed mechanism 28 corresponding to the prescribed bobbins21, selectively and accurately, over the threading device 5 whichperforms threading.

[0176] After that, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism3, to make the thread gripping member 31 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3 move from the standby position at about the middle part(right under the lowest position of the auxiliary balance 42 of thebalance mechanism 4) to the highest position where to grip the end ofthe thread 11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a.

[0177] And, in the state in which the thread feed tube 28 a ispositioned between the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed grippingpiece 31 b of the thread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioningmechanism 3 of the threading device 5, drive the drive mechanism 28 e ofthe operating lever 28 d, to operate the operating piece 28 d(c?) of thethread feed tube 28 a with the operating lever 28 d, so as to make thethread feed tube 28 a go up against the urging force of the compressionspring 28 b and expose the threads 11, and to hold the threads 11 withthe mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed gripping piece 31 b of thethread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioning mechanism 3 of thethreading device 5.

[0178] And, drive the drive shaft 27 a of the drive mechanism 27 on thesliding member 26 a of the thread length regulating mechanism 26, toswing the sliding member 26 a through the lever 27 c, the sliding rod 27e and the pushing member 27 g, and, let descend the thread grippingmember 31 by driving the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3,while making the thread inserter 26 b formed at the tip of the slidingmember 26 a move from the thread holding position 26B to the feedposition 26A. And, when the thread gripping member 31 in the threadtensioning mechanism 3 of the threading device 5 descended close toabout the middle part (right under the lowest position of the auxiliarybalance 42 of the balance mechanism 4), drive the thread selectingmechanism 29 of the thread feeder 2, to make the thread feed tube 28 amove sideways (to the right) by a step in the state where the thread 11is stretched, and further let the thread gripping member 31 descend toguide the thread 11 to a position close to the needle 10 located in thethreading position.

[0179] Moreover, the drive shaft 27 a of the drive mechanism 27 in thethread feed & recovery device 2 is designed to make the thread inserter26 b formed at the tip of the sliding member 26 a move from the threadholding position 26B to the feed position 26A and, immediately afterthat, drive it in the opposite direction, to make the lever 27 c, thesliding rod 27 e and the pushing member 27 g return to their initialpositions.

[0180] At that time, the thread 11 stretched between the thread feedtube 28 a and a position close to the needle 10 located in the threadingposition, by the thread tensioning mechanism 3, is placed on the balance41 and the auxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4, with a swingof the auxiliary balance 42, and the end of the thread 11 gripped by thethread gripping member 31 is stretched between the thread grippingmember 31 and the thread stretching mechanism 63. In this state, drivethe drive mechanism 62 c of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 and thedrive mechanism 72 of the needle supporting mechanism 7, to place andstretch the thread 11 about horizontally on the hooking member 61 a ofthe thread pull-out mechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of theneedle 10 supported by the needle supporting member 71.

[0181] After inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, make the needlesupporting member 71 retreat to return to its initial position, bydriving the drive mechanism 72 of the needle support mechanism 7, beforestretching the thread 11.

[0182] And, in the state in which the end of the thread 11 is stretchedabout horizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, drivethe drive lever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, to make the threadpull-out mechanism 61 retreat and, while hooking the thread 11 on thehooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 formed in theshape of a hook at the tip, perform threading by extracting the hookingmember 61 a from the needle hole 10 a, to start embroidery work.

[0183] After that, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism3, to make the thread gripping member 31 return to the standby positionnear the middle position.

[0184] Furthermore, it is so arranged as to cut, when replacing thethread 11, the thread 11 with an automatic thread cutting devicedisposed below the needle plate (not illustrated), drive the drive shaft27 b of the drive mechanism 27 in the sliding members 26 a of the threadlength regulating mechanism 26, to slide the sliding members 26 athrough the lever 27 d, the sliding rod 27 f and the pulling member 27h, and to recover and reuse the thread 11 stretched between the threadfeed & recovery device 2 and the needle 10, by making the threadinserter 26 b formed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a move fromthe thread feed position 26A to the holding position 26B.

[0185] Still more, the drive shaft 27 b of the drive mechanism 27 isdesigned to recover the thread 11 by moving the thread inserter 26 bformed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a from the thread feedposition 26A to the holding position 26B, and drive it in the oppositedirection immediately after that, to make the lever 27 d, the slidingrod 27 f and the pushing member 27 h return to their initial positions.

[0186] At that time, it is possible to drive the drive shaft 27 a of thedrive mechanism 27 in the sliding members 26 a of the thread lengthregulating mechanism 26 about simultaneously, as required, to slide thethread inserter 26 b formed at the tip of the sliding members 26 a,through the lever 27 c, the sliding rod 27 e and the pulling member 27g, guide the end of the thread 11 to a position close to the needle 10with the threading device 5, while feeding the thread 11 by moving thethread inserter 26 b from the thread holding position 26B to the feedposition 26A, place the thread 11 on the balance 41 and the auxiliarybalance 42, and pass the thread 11 led to a position close to the needle10 through the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, thereby remarkablyshortening the time required for the replacement of colored threads.

[0187] In the same way, the process of perform threading and embroiderywork can be repeated continuously thereafter.

[0188] On the other hand, the processing in case of breakage of thethread 11 can also be made automatically in the same way as in thereplacement of the thread 11. In that case, the sliding members 26 a ofthe thread length regulating mechanism 26, the thread tensioningmechanism 3, the threading mechanism (not illustrated) of the threadingdevice 5, etc. must be constructed in a way to be driven independentlyat each sewing machine head 1 of the embroidery machinery, and suchconstruction makes it possible to perform all processing relating tothread including processing in case of breakage of the thread 11automatically, further improving the operating rate and productivity ofthe sewing machine.

[0189] To be concrete, first cut off the broken thread 11 by using aproper cutting device (not illustrated), align the length of the threadshanging from the thread feed tube 28 a of the thread feed mechanism 28,and recover the cut pieces of the broken threads 11 placed on thebalance mechanism 4, etc. by using a proper recovering device (notillustrated).

[0190] About at the same time as above, move the thread feed tube 28 asideways by a step (left side facing the front face of the sewingmachine head 1).

[0191] By driving the thread selecting mechanism 29, slide the threadtension regulating mechanism 24, and position the thread feed tube 28 aof the thread feed mechanism 28 corresponding to the prescribed bobbins21, selectively and accurately, over the threading device 5 whichperforms threading.

[0192] After that, drive the belt 35 with the drive mechanism 36, tomake the thread gripping member 31 the thread tensioning mechanism 3move from the standby position at about the middle part (right under thelowest position of the auxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4to be described later) to the highest position where to grip the end ofthe thread 11 hanging from the thread feed tube 28 a, to make itpossible for the thread gripping member 31 to grip the end of the thread11.

[0193] And, in the state in which the thread feed tube 28 a ispositioned between the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed grippingpiece 31 b of the thread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioningmechanism 3 of the threading device 5, drive the drive mechanism 28 e ofthe operating lever 28 d, to operate the operating piece 28 d(c?) of thethread feed tube 28 a, with the operating lever 28 d so as to make thethread feed tube 28 a go up against the urging force of the compressionspring 28 b and expose the threads 11, and to hold the threads 11 withthe mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed gripping piece 31 b of thethread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioning mechanism 3 of thethreading device 5.

[0194] After that, drive the drive shaft 27 b of the drive mechanism 27on the sliding member 26 a of the thread length regulating mechanism 26,to slide the sliding member 26 a through the lever 27 d, the sliding rod27 f and the pushing member 27 h, and extract the thread 11 from thebobbin 21 by moving the thread inserter 26 b formed at the tip of thesliding member 26 a from the thread feed position 26A to the holdingposition 26B, to maintain the thread 11 sent out toward the needle 10 atthe prescribed length.

[0195] Next, drive the drive shaft 27 a of the drive mechanism 27 on thesliding member 26 a of the thread length regulating mechanism 26, toslide the sliding member 26 a through the lever 27 c, the sliding rod 27e and the pushing member 27 g, and, let descend the thread grippingmember 31 by driving the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3,while making the thread inserter 26 b formed at the tip of the slidingmember 26 a move from the thread holding position 26B to the feedposition 26A. And, when the thread gripping member 31 in the threadtensioning mechanism 3 of the threading device 5 descended close toabout the middle part (right under the lowest position of the auxiliarybalance 42 of the balance mechanism 4), drive the thread selectingmechanism 29 of the thread feeder 2, to make the thread feed tube 28 amove sideways (to the right) by a step in the state where the thread 11is stretched, and further let the thread gripping member 31 descend toguide the thread 11 to a position close to the needle 10 located in thethreading position.

[0196] Moreover, the drive shaft 27 a of the drive mechanism 27 in thethread feed & recovery device 2 is designed to make the thread inserter26 b formed at the tip of the sliding member 26 a move from the threadholding position 26B to the feed position 26A and, immediately afterthat, drive it in the opposite direction, to make the lever 27 c returnto its initial position.

[0197] At that time, the thread 11 stretched between the thread feedtube 28 a and a position close to the needle 10 located in the threadingposition, by the thread tensioning mechanism 3, is placed on the balance41 and the auxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4, with a swingof the auxiliary balance 42, and the end of the thread 11 gripped by thethread gripping member 31 is stretched between the thread grippingmember 31 and the thread stretching mechanism 63. In this state, drivethe drive mechanism 62 c of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 and thedrive mechanism 72 of the needle supporting mechanism 7, to place andstretch the thread 11 about horizontally on the hooking member 61 a ofthe thread pull-out mechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of theneedle 10 supported by the needle supporting member 71.

[0198] After inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, make the needlesupporting member 71 retreat to return to its initial position, bydriving the drive mechanism 72 of the needle supporting mechanism 7before stretching the thread 11.

[0199] And, in the state in which the end of the thread 11 is stretchedabout horizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, drivethe drive lever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, to make the threadpull-out mechanism 61 retreat and perform threading, by extracting thehooking member 61 a, while hooking the thread 11 on the hooking member61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 formed in the shape of a hookat the tip, to start embroidery work.

[0200] After that, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism3, to make the thread gripping member 31 return to the standby positionnear the middle position.

[0201] Furthermore, the processing in case of breakage of thread 11 canbe made not only automatically but also manually.

[0202] In that case, by constructing and utilizing the drive mechanism62 c of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 and the drive mechanism 72 ofthe needle support mechanism 7 in a way to be driven independently foreach sewing machine head 1 of the embroidery machine, it becomespossible to perform the processing in case of breakage of thread 11smoothly, further improving the operating rate and productivity of thesewing machine.

[0203] To be concrete, place the broken thread 11 on the balance 41 andthe auxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4 by holding itbetween your fingers, and drive the drive mechanism 62 c of the threadpull-out mechanism 61 and the drive mechanism 72 of the needle supportmechanism 7. More preferably, construct in a way to automatically drivethe drive mechanism 62 c of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 and thedrive mechanism 72 of the needle support mechanism 7, to insert thehooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 at the sewingmachine head 1 where the thread 11 is broken in the needle hole 10 a ofthe needle 10 supported by the needle supporting member 71, andtemporarily fasten the end of the thread 11 on the hooking member 61 aof the thread pull-out mechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a ofthe needle 10, by utilizing the guide pieces 61 d, 61 d disposed on bothsides of the hooking member 61 a and the projection 61 e formed on theguide piece 61 d on one side, to stretch the thread 11 abouthorizontally.

[0204] After inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, make the needlesupporting member 71 retreat to return to its initial position, bydriving the drive mechanism 72 of the needle support mechanism 7, beforestretching the thread 11.

[0205] And, in the state in which the end of the thread 11 is stretchedabout horizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, drivethe drive lever 62 b with the drive mechanism 62 c, to make the threadpull-out mechanism 61 retreat and perform threading by extracting thehooking member 61 a from the needle hole 10 a, while hooking the thread11 on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 formedin the shape of a hook at the tip.

[0206] By the way, while, in the above-described embodiment, the needlesupport mechanism 7 was constructed in a way to support the needle 10 byswinging in about a horizontal plane from the standby position, it mayalso be constructed in a way to support the needle 10 by swinging inabout a vertical plane from the standby position, as in the embodimentindicated in FIG. 30˜FIG. 33.

[0207] As described above, by constructing the needle support mechanism7 in a way to support the needle 10 by swinging in about a verticalplane from the standby position, it becomes possible to reduce the widthof the needle support mechanism and thus realize a compact structure ofthe embroidery machinery including needle support mechanism.

[0208] The needle support mechanism 7 in this embodiment is constructedwith a needle support member 71 the tip of which is formed in about Vshape, and a drive mechanism 72 for swinging the needle support member71, through a lever 73 and a rod 76 mounted on the base end side of theneedle support member 71, so that it may support the needle 10 byswinging it in about a vertical plane with a spindle 74, as shown inFIG. 30˜FIG. 32.

[0209] In that case, the rod 76 is constructed slidably by using doubletube, by disposing a cushioning spring 75 urging in the direction ofextension of the rod 76, and in a way to be supported on the base endside, through a mounting fixture 72 c, on a swing arm 72 b mounted onthe rotary shaft 72 a of the drive mechanism 72.

[0210] By the way, in this embodiment, a needle bar support mechanism 8is disposed, in addition to the needle support mechanism 7, movably at aposition above the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism61, for correcting deflection in the direction of height of the needlebar 9, and position the needle bar 9 in the prescribed position, tothereby correct deflection of the needle 10, through the needle bar 9,when inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism61 in the needle hole 10 a.

[0211] This needle bar support mechanism 8 is composed of a needle barsupporting member 81 formed in about V shape like a fork at the tip, asupporting block 82 on which is to mount the base end side of the needlebar supporting member 81, and a drive mechanism 72 common to the needlesupport mechanism 7 swinging the needle bar supporting member 81,through a lever 84 and a rod 87, so that it may grip the needle bar 9and the guide 91 provided in projection in horizontal direction on theneedle bar 9 by swinging in about a vertical plane through a spindle 85mounted on a frame F.

[0212] In that case, the rod 87 is constructed slidably by using doubletube, by disposing a cushioning spring 86 urging in the direction ofextension of the rod 87, and in a way to be supported at the base end,through a mounting fixture 72 d, on a swing arm 72 b mounted on therotary shaft 72 a of the drive mechanism 72.

[0213] The needle bar supporting member 81 of the needle bar supportmechanism 8 forms, by being formed in the shape of a fork 81 a, 81 b, agroove 81 d about in U shape so that the needle bar 9 may get in there,and is formed in about V shape 81 c at the tip so that the guide 91provided in projection in horizontal direction on the needle bar 9 mayget in there.

[0214] Moreover, the needle bar supporting member 81 is swingablysupported on the supporting block 82, by passing the shaft 82 a providedin projection on the supporting block 82 through the hole 81 e drilledin horizontal direction in the needle bar supporting member 81 andfilling a snap ring at the tip of the shaft 82 a for protection againstfalling.

[0215] In that case, to control the amount of swinging of the needle barsupporting member 81, the needle bar supporting member 81 is supportedat the bottom face with the tip piece 83 a of the spring plate 83provided on the bottom face of the supporting block 82.

[0216] While, in this embodiment, the needle support mechanism 7 and theneedle bar support mechanism 8 are constructed in such a way can bedriven simultaneously, by adopting a common drive mechanism for theneedle support mechanism 7 and the needle bar support mechanism 8, theneedle support mechanism 7 and the needle bar support mechanism 8 mayalso be constructed in such a way can be driven either simultaneously orindividually by individual drive mechanisms.

[0217] Also in this case, however, it is so arranged that, after thehooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 is inserted inthe needle hole 10 a of the needle 10, the needle supporting member 71is made to retreat to return to its initial position, by driving thedrive mechanism of the needle bar support mechanism 8, before the thread11 is stretched.

[0218] And, by disposing, as in this embodiment, the needle bar supportmechanism 8 in addition to the needle support mechanism 7, it becomespossible to correct deflection in the direction of height of the needlebar 9 when inserting the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 of the threading mechanism 6 in the needle hole 10 a, alsocorrect deflection in the transversal direction at the same time, in theconstruction of this embodiment, hook the end of the thread 11, led to aposition close to the needle 10 in the state gripped by the threadgripping member 31, with the in the needle hole 10 a, by hooking theneedle 10 by means of hooking member 61 a formed in the shape of a hookat the tip, and pass it through the needle hole 10 a. In addition, italso becomes possible to prevent deflection of the needle 10 wheninserting the hooking member 61 a in the needle hole 10 a, and insertthe hooking member 61 a in the needle hole 10 a smoothly, to ensureaccurate threading.

[0219] The drive mechanism 72 of the needle support mechanism 7 and theneedle bar support mechanism 8 may be constructed independently for eachsewing machine head 1 of the embroidery machine in a way to be capableof individual driving, to thereby make it possible to perform allprocessing relating to all the threads 11 including processing in caseof breakage of thread 11 automatically, and make the thread pull-outmechanism 61 available for use also when performing the processing incase of breakage of thread 11 manually, further improving the operatingrate and productivity of the sewing machine.

[0220] Furthermore, the needle bar support mechanism 8 may also beconstructed, in addition to above, in a way to fully share the drivemechanism with the needle support mechanism 7, as shown in FIG. 34.

[0221] Namely, the needle support mechanism 7 is constructed bycomprising a needle supporting member 71 formed in about V shape at thetip, and a drive mechanism (not illustrated) for swinging the needlesupporting member 71, through the lever 73 and the rod 76 mounted on thebase end side of the needle supporting member 71, so that it may supportthe needle 10 by swinging it in about a horizontal plane around thespindle 74 a mounted on the frame F.

[0222] And, the bar support mechanism 8 is constructed with a needle barsupporting member 88 provided with a fitting 88 a formed in about Ushape to be fit to the guide 91, which shares the axis 74 a mounted onthe frame F and is provided in projection in horizontal direction on theneedle bar 9, by swinging in about a horizontal plane around this axis74 a.

[0223] This guide 91, also having a function of fixing the needle 10, isprovided at the center with a screw 12 for fixing the needle 10.

[0224] This bar support mechanism 8 is realized in such a way that itswing, in linkage with the needle support mechanism 7, the needle barsupporting member 88 in about a horizontal plane around the axis 74 amounted on the frame F to fit the fitting 88 a of the needle barsupporting member 88 to the guide 91 provided in projection inhorizontal direction on the needle bar 9, for correcting deflection inthe direction of height of the bar 9 and positioning the needle bar 9 inprescribed position, so as to correct deflection in the direction ofheight of the needle 10 when inserting the hooking member 61 a of thethread pull-out mechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a, through the needlebar 9.

[0225] And, in this embodiment, chamfering is made to the tip face ofthe guide 91, to make it easier to fit the fitting 88 a of the needlebar supporting member 88 to the guide 91 provided in projection inhorizontal direction on the needle bar 9, and a pad 91 a made of rubber,urethane, etc. is disposed at the base of the guide 91, for absorbingshocks produced when the fitting 88 a of the needle bar supportingmember 88 is fit to the guide 91 provided in projection in horizontaldirection on the needle bar 9.

[0226] Still more, to prevent the needle bar 9 from turning ordeflecting in the transversal direction, a guide bar 13 is provided, inparallel with the needle bar 9, in a way to be slidable relativelyagainst the needle bar 9, through a retaining member 13 c fixed to theframe F and the guide bar 13, and at the bottom end of this guide bar 13is formed a cloth presser 14 and are disposed springs 13 a, 13 b forurging it.

[0227] Yet more, while, in the embodiment indicated in FIG. 34, the barsupport mechanism 8 is constructed with a needle bar supporting member88 provided with a fitting 88 a formed in about U shape to be fit to theguide 91, which shares the axis 74 a mounted on the frame F and isprovided in projection in horizontal direction on the needle bar 9, byswinging in about a horizontal plane around this axis 74 a, the barsupport mechanism 8 may also be constructed, in addition to above, witha needle bar supporting member 88 provided with a fitting 88 b formed inabout a circular hole to be fit to the guide 91 b, which shares the axis74 a mounted on the frame F and is provided in projection in horizontaldirection on the needle bar 9 by swinging in about a horizontal planearound this axis 74 a, as in the modified embodiment indicated in FIG.35.

[0228] As described above, by forming fitting 88 b in about a circularhole, it becomes possible to correct deflection in transversaldirection, in addition to deflection in the direction of height, of thebar 9 and positioning the needle bar 9 in prescribed position, so as tocorrect deflection of the needle 10 when inserting the hooking member 61a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 in the needle hole 10 a, throughthe needle bar 9 more accurately.

[0229] And, also in this embodiment, chamfering is made to the tip faceof the guide 91 b, to make it easier to fit the fitting 88 b of theneedle bar supporting member 88 to the guide 91 b provided in projectionin horizontal direction on the needle bar 9, and a pad 91 a made ofrubber, urethane, etc. is disposed at the base of the guide 91 b, forabsorbing shocks produced when the fitting 88 b of the needle barsupporting member 88 is fit to the guide 91 b provided in projection inhorizontal direction on the needle bar 9.

[0230] Explanation has so far been given of the threading device forembroidery machinery according to the present invention, based on anembodiment applied to an embroidery machine capable of performing theprocessing for change of colored thread automatically withoutintervention of an operator. However, the mechanisms constituting thethreading device for embroidery machinery according to the presentinvention are not restricted to above, but may also be applicable togeneral embroidery machinery.

[0231] Moreover, the mechanisms constituting the threading device forembroidery machinery according to the present invention are notrestricted to those of the construction indicated in said embodiment,but their construction may be modified as required within the scope notdeviating from its purpose.

[0232] For example, instead of driving the auxiliary balance 42 of thebalancing mechanism 4 with the drive mechanism 36 of the threadtensioning mechanism 3 in linkage with the thread gripping member 31,(the threading device 5 for embroidery machinery) may be constructed ina way to swing the auxiliary balance 42 with a drive mechanism 43, byproviding an independent drive mechanism 43 for the auxiliary balance 42of the balancing mechanism 4 such as electric motor, solenoid, etc., asshown in FIG. 36˜FIG. 38, to place the thread 11 in the threading hole41 a formed at the tip of the balance 41 and the threading hole 42 aformed at the tip of the auxiliary balance 42.

[0233] In that case, it is preferable to provide a locking member 41 bmade of an elastic member such as piano wire, etc. for sealing the notchof the threading hole 41 a, to prevent the thread 11 once placed in thethreading hole 42 a formed at the tip of the balance 41 and theauxiliary balance 42 from falling off the threading holes 41 a, 42 a, orprovide a locking member 42 i for sealing the notch of the threadinghole 42 a at the position of bottom dead center of the auxiliary balance42, for example.

[0234] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 38, an air jet nozzle 28 fconnected to an air source (not illustrated) may be disposed, on thethread feed mechanism 28, toward the direction of delivery of the thread11, so that the thread 11 inserted in the thread feed tube 28 a of thethread feed mechanism 28 may hang vertically from the thread feed tube28 a without being entangled and is sent out smoothly from the threadfeed mechanism 28 toward the needle 10.

[0235] Still more, the drive mechanism for the mobile gripping piece 31a of the thread gripping member 31 may be constructed, as shown in FIG.38, with a sheet spring 31 h for gripping the thread 11 between themobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed gripping piece 31 b, and asolenoid 31 h(?), mounted directly on the thread gripping member 31, forreleasing the mobile gripping piece 31 a against the urging force of thesheet spring 31 h.

[0236] Yet more, the thread stretching mechanism 63 may be constructed,as shown in FIG. 38, with a sliding member 63 k, mounted in a way to beslidable on the thread gripping member 31, a spring member 63 m forurging the sliding member 63 k in the storing direction, and a solenoid63 n, mounted directly on the thread gripping member 31, for stretchingthe threads 11 about horizontally, in the space formed with the threadgripping member 31, by sliding the sliding member 63 k against theurging force of the spring member 63 m.

[0237] Next, explanation will be made on the operating method forstarting an embroidery work with the embroidery machine of the modifiedembodiment indicated in FIG. 36˜FIG. 39, with reference to FIG. 40˜FIG.41.

[0238] By driving the thread selecting mechanism 29, slide the threadtension regulating mechanism 24, and position the thread feed tube 28 aof the thread feed mechanism 28 corresponding to the prescribed bobbins21, selectively and accurately, over the threading device 5 whichperforms threading.

[0239] At that time, also drive the drive mechanism 62 c of the threadpull-out mechanism 61, the needle support mechanism 7 and the needle barsupport mechanism 8 simultaneously, to support the needle 10 with theneedle supporting member 71 and the needle supporting member 81, and toinsert the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61 inthe needle hole 10 a.

[0240] After that, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism3, to make the thread gripping member 31 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3 move from the standby position ({circle over (1)}) in FIG.40) at about the middle part (right under the lowest position of theauxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4) to the highest positionwhere to grip the end of the thread 11 hanging from the thread feed tube28 a. At the same time, drive the thread length regulating mechanism 26,to hold the threads 11 delivered toward the needle 10 at prescribedlength or, to be concrete, by a length at which the thread 11 of thelength required for being placed on the balance 41 and the auxiliarybalance 42 may be delivered ({circle over (2)} in FIG. 40).

[0241] At that time, release the mobile gripping piece 31 a of thethread gripping member 31 against the urging force of the sheet spring31 h, with the solenoid 31 h.

[0242] And, in the state in which the thread feed tube 28 a ispositioned between the mobile gripping piece 31 a and the fixed grippingpiece 31 b of the thread gripping member 31 in the thread tensioningmechanism 3 of the threading device 5, drive the drive mechanism 28 e ofthe operating lever 28 d, to operate the operating piece 28 d(c?) of thethread feed tube 28 a with the operating lever 28 d, so as to make thethread feed tube 28 a go up and expose the threads 11. Blow out airtoward the direction of delivery of the thread 11 from the air jetnozzle 28 f, so that the thread 11 may hang vertically from the threadfeed tube 28 a without being entangled and, in that state, release thesolenoid 31 h, to hold the end of the threads 11 with the mobilegripping piece 31 a and the fixed gripping piece 31 b of the threadgripping member 31 in the thread tensioning mechanism 3 of the threadingdevice 5, and then stop blowing out of air from the air jet nozzle 28 f({circle over (3)} in FIG. 40).

[0243] And, once drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3,to let down the thread gripping member 31 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3, and also let down the thread feed tube 28 a which has beenmade to go up ({circle over (4)} in FIG. 40).

[0244] And, drive the thread selecting mechanism 29 of the thread feeder2, to make the thread feed tube 28 a move sideways (to the right) by astep in the state where the thread 11 is stretched ({circle over (5)} inFIG. 41).

[0245] In that state, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3, to make the thread gripping member 31 of the threadtensioning mechanism 3 move to about the middle part (right under thelowest position of the auxiliary balance 42 of the balance mechanism 4),and drive the drive mechanism 43 of the auxiliary balance 42 such aselectric motor, rotary solenoid, etc., to make the auxiliary balance 42move to its lowest position and place the thread 11 on the balance 41and the auxiliary balance 42. At the same time, drive the threadselecting mechanism 29 of the thread feeder 2, to make the thread feedtube 28 a move sideways (left side) by a step in the state where thethreads 11 are placed, and drive the thread length regulating mechanism26, so that the threads 11 may be delivered by prescribed length or, tobe concrete, by a length required for being placed on the needle 10({circle over (6)},{circle over (7)} in FIG. 41). The sequence ofmovement of the thread gripping member 31 and the auxiliary balance 42and of start of driving of the thread selecting mechanism 29 is decidedin a way to secure a certain time difference as required, so that thethreads 11 may be placed accurately on the balance 41 and the auxiliarybalance 42.

[0246] And, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism 3, tofurther let down the thread gripping member 31 of the thread tensioningmechanism 3, to stretch the thread 11 gripped by the thread grippingmember 31 between the thread gripping member 31 and the threadstretching mechanism 63. In that state, drive the drive mechanism 62 cof the thread pull-out mechanism 61 as well as the needle supportmechanism 7 and the needle bar support mechanism 8 in advance, to place(the thread 11) on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a of the needle 10 supportedby the needle bar supporting member 71 and the needle bar supportingmember 81. And further drive the thread selecting mechanism 29 of thethread feeder 2, to make the thread feed tube 28 a move sideways (rightside) by a step in the state in which the thread 11 is placed ({circleover (8)} in FIG. 41).

[0247] And, in the state in which the end of the thread 11 is stretchedabout horizontally on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-outmechanism 61 inserted in the needle hole 10 a, drive the drive lever 62b with the drive mechanism 62 c, to make the thread pull-out mechanism61 retreat. At the same time, release the mobile gripping piece 31 a ofthe thread gripping member 31 against the urging force of the sheetspring 31 h, with the solenoid 31 h, to release the thread 11 which hasbeen gripped by the thread gripping member 31 and, while hooking thethread 11 on the hooking member 61 a of the thread pull-out mechanism 61formed in the shape of a hook at the tip, perform threading byextracting the hooking member 61 a from the needle hole 10 a, to startembroidery work.

[0248] After that, drive the belt 35 of the thread tensioning mechanism3, to make the thread gripping member 31 return to the standby positionnear the middle position.

[0249] Other operating methods and actions of the embroidery machine ofthis modified embodiment are the same as those of the embroidery machinein said embodiment.

Industrial Applicability

[0250] According to the threading device for embroidery machinery of thepresent invention, the threading mechanism of which comprises a threadpull-out mechanism provided with a needle support mechanism formed inthe shape of a hook at the tip, this thread pull-out mechanism beingdisposed movably facing the hooking member, for preventing deflection ofthe needle, by correcting deflection of the needle, when inserting thehooking member in the needle hole, it becomes possible to pass the endof the thread, led to a position close to the needle in the stategripped by the thread gripping member, in the needle hole, by hookingthe needle by means of a hooking member formed in the shape of a hook atthe tip. It also becomes possible to prevent deflection of the needlewhen inserting the hooking member in the needle hole, so as to insertthe hooking member in the needle hole smoothly and perform threadingaccurately.

1. A threading device for embroidery machinery comprising a needle support mechanism, disposed movably facing the hooking member, for preventing needle deflection, by correcting deflection of the needle when inserting the hooking member formed in the shape of a hook at the tip of the thread pull-out mechanism in the needle hole.
 2. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 1, wherein the needle support mechanism is constructed in such a way that it supports the needle by swinging about in a horizontal plane from a standby position.
 3. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 1, wherein the needle support mechanism is constructed in such a way that it supports the needle by swinging about in a vertical plane from a standby position.
 4. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tip of the needle support member of the needle support mechanism supporting the needle is formed in a V shape.
 5. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, realized in such a way that it can insert, in case of thread breakage, the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism into the hole of the needle supported by the needle support mechanism, by driving the drive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the drive mechanism of the needle support mechanism of the sewing machine head where the thread is broken, make the needle support mechanism retreat to its standby position, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle support mechanism, and then make the needle pull-out mechanism return to perform threading, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle pull-out mechanism, in the state in which the thread is stretched on the hooking member of the needle pull-out mechanism.
 6. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 5, realized in such a way that it automatically performs the actions of inserting the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism in the hole of the needle supported by the needle support mechanism, by at least minimally driving the drive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the drive mechanism of the needle support mechanism of the sewing machine head where the thread is broken, and making the needle support member retreat to its standby position, by driving the drive mechanism of the needle supporting mechanism, and remaining on standby in that state.
 7. A threading device for embroidery machinery characterized in that the needle support mechanism, for positioning the needle in prescribed position, by correcting needle deflection when inserting the hooking member formed in the shape of a hook at the tip of the thread pull-out mechanism in the needle hole, is disposed movably at a position above the hooking member.
 8. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 7, wherein the needle support member of the needle bar support mechanism is formed in a V shape like a fork at the tip in such a way that it grips the needle and the guide provided in projection in a horizontal direction on the needle bar at the same time.
 9. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 7, wherein the needle support member of the needle bar support mechanism is formed in such a way that it fits the guide provided in projection on the needle bar.
 10. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 7, 8, or 9, wherein the needle bar support mechanism is constructed in such a way as to be driven in synchronization with the drive mechanism of the needle support mechanism.
 11. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the guide piece is disposed on both sides of the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism, and a projection is formed on at least one of the guide pieces.
 12. A threading device for embroidery machinery comprising a thread tensioning mechanism, provided with a thread gripping member for gripping the thread hanging from the thread feed tube at its end, for leading the thread gripped by that thread gripping member to a position close to the needle and placing the stretched thread on a balancing mechanism, and a threading mechanism for guiding the thread into the needle hole, characterized in that said threading mechanism is comprised of a thread pull-out mechanism, provided with a needle supporting mechanism formed in the shape of a hook at the tip, and a thread stretching mechanism, movably mounted on the thread gripping member for stretching the thread gripped in the thread gripping member at its end horizontally on the hooking member, in the space formed by said thread gripping member.
 13. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claim 12, wherein the thread stretching mechanism is constructed in such a way as to stretch the thread gripped by the thread gripping member at its end horizontally, in the space formed said thread gripping member, by moving in a horizontal direction in the space formed by said thread tensioning mechanism while getting to a position close to the needle, following the thread gripping mechanism of the thread tensioning mechanism.
 14. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 12 or 13, wherein the drive mechanism of the thread tensioning mechanism is constructed in such a way that the moving speed of the thread gripping member moving from the thread feed tube to a position close to the needle may move slowly at the thread feed tube and at a position close to the needle, but move quickly in the intermediate position between them.
 15. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 12, 13 or 14, wherein the needle support mechanism for preventing needle deflection by correcting deflection of the needle when inserting the hooking member in the needle hole, is mounted movably facing the hooking member.
 16. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the drive mechanism of the needle tensioning mechanism and/or the drive mechanism of the thread pull-out mechanism and the needle support mechanism is constructed in such a way that they can be driven independently at each sewing machine head of the embroidery machinery.
 17. A threading device for embroidery machinery as defined in claims 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the guide piece is disposed on both sides of the hooking member of the thread pull-out mechanism, and a projection for temporarily fastening the thread is formed on at least one of the guide pieces. 